First elevator for typographical machines.



H. A. ARMSTRONG. FIRST ELEVATOR FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINES.

' APPLIOATION FILED APR. 18, 1914.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES: INVENTORZ 7'02 ATTORNEY n. ARMSTRONG. FIRST ELEVATOR FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR 18, 1914.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY z rg/ WITN ESSES ful Improvements in HENRY A. ARMSTRONG, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL TYPESETTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW 7 roan.

Specification of Letters Patent.

FIRST ELEVATOR FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINES.

Patented Mar. 2, 19115.

Application filed April 18. 1914. Serial No. 832,890.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY A. ARiasrRoNo, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York have invented new and uselypographical Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The. present invention relates to improvements in typographical machines of the linotype class wherein lines of previously composed matrices arepresented to a mold and a slug cast therefrom, and it is directed more particularly to that portion of the machine known as the first elevator which serves to carry the lines of matrices, after they have been assembled, from a receiving position down to the casting position, then up to the transfer position after the cast has been made where the lines of matrices are transferred to the distributing mechanism, the elevator finally returning to its normal position ready to receive another line of matrices. The'primary object of the inventlon is to provide improved means for.h0lding the matrices in place in the first elevator to prevent dropping or displacement of the matrices, including means for releasing the holding means, at the times when the elevator is to receive or remove a line of matrices with respect thereto, and when the line is brought to-the casting posltlon.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described. the novel features being pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of the specifi cation.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure" 1 is a front elevation of the first elevator and related parts of a typographical machine equipped with the present invention, the elevator being shown in its uppermost position; Fig. 2 is a view of Fig. 1 looking toward the left; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the first elevator with the latter in position to receive a line of matrices; Fig. 4 is a view ofFig. 3 looking toward the left; Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the upper portion of the first elevator approaching its lower or casting position; Fig. 6 is a view of Fig. 5 looking toward the left.

First Elevators for Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the several views.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in-the accompanying drawings and will be hereinafter described in detail. In the present instance the invention is shown in connection with a typographical machine of thewell known linotype class. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not restricted to the precise construction shown, as equivalent constructions and arrangements within the scope of the annexed claims will be included.

. In the present instance 1 designates the first elevator slide of the form usually employed in machines of this class, the slide being guided to reciprocate vertically on a vise frame 2, and its upper end is provided with a head 3 which extends rearwardly and overhangs the vise frame. The overhanging head of the first elevator is provided with a pair of front and rear jaws 4 and 5 which are spaced apart and held in fixed relation by an interposed block 6 forming a channel between them to receive and guide a line of matrices M. A pair of vise jaws 7 and 8 are provided which are adapted to receive between them a line of matrices lowered tothe casting position by the first elevator, these 10 designates the delivery channel through which the-,line of matrices is brought into a I position to be received by the first elevator when the latter occupies an intermediate position. Fig. 3 shows a line of matrices about to be received by the first elevator. Fig. 5 shows a line of matrices about to be received between the vise jaws, and Fig. 1

shows a line of matrices in the act of being removed from the first elevator to the distributor channel. 7

It has been found in practice that after thematrices have entered the first elevator 1 tion of the elevator,

it is desirable "or necessary to provide means to prevent them from falling back or out of the channel of the first elevator while they are being elevated" and loweredin said elevator, owing tovibration of the machine, movements of the justification parts, and other causes. Heretofore, it has been customary to provide spring-actuateddetents to retain the matrices but such have proven more or less unsatisfactory for the reason that they occasion considerable friction upon the matrices as they enter and leave the elevator, and where positively-acting detents have been proposed complicated mechanism is required to release them before the line can be withdrawn.

The present invention provides a positive gate which extends entirely across the chan- "nel of the elevator, and means is provided, which is controlled according to the" posifor opening the gate at the times when the matrices are to enter or leave the first elevator. In the present instance the gate is in the form of a rod or bar 11 which is carried by the first elevator and is reciprocable through the jaw 4, this rod being capable of occupying either a position wherein it will extend across the matrix channel of the elevator, as shown in Fig. 6, or a position where it is retracted and will permit a line of matrices to enter or, leave the channel of the first elevator freely or without obstruction. This rod 11 'is operatively connected to a rock shaft 12,

carried by the first elevator, by a crank or lever 13. A .torsion spring 14 acts normally to rotate theshaft 12 in a direction to move the rod 11 into a position to close the matrix channel in the first elevator and to maintain it in such position, The rod 11, however, is retracted at those times when aline of matrices is to be received by or removed from the elevator. In the present instance the shaft 12 has a set of arms 15, 16 and 17 fixed thereon and projecting to one side thereof at different elevations corresponding to the respective positions to be occupied by the elevator. A pair of earns 18 and 19 are also provided, the cam 19- being fixed to the vise frame and having an upwardly and forwardly sloping face adapted to act on the lowermost arm 17 as the elevator approaches and reaches its uppermost position, and the cam 18 being adapted to act upon the arms 16 and 15 to retract the rod 11 when the elevator is receiving a line of 1 iatrices and when the line of matrices is about to be introduced between the vise jaws 7 and 8. The cam 18 acts on the arms 16 and 15 successively while the elevator is descending, and in order to permit the arms 15 and 16 to freely pass this cam during the upward movement of the elevator the cam operates substantially as a latch, it being pivoted in the present instance at 20, and a pin 21 servesto support it normally in operative position while a pin 22 serves to limit its movement when swung aside by the upward movement of the arms 15 and 16, as shown in Fig. 3'.- g

The operation may be briefly escribed as follows: When the elevator is in its normal receiving position, the arm 16. engages the cam 18 and the rod 11 is thereby held out of the matrix channel of the elevator, as will appear from Figs. 3 and 4:. As soon as the elevator begins its descent, the arm 16 disengages from the cam 18,thereby permitting the rod 11 to move across and close the matrix channel in the magazine under the influence of the spring 14, thereby securely holding the matrices from sliding back or otherwise becoming dislodged. As the elevator approaches the casting position, the arm 15 engages the cam 18 so as to withdraw the rod 11 before this rod-can reach the vise jaw 8, thereby permitting the elevator to descend and introduce the line of matrices between the vise jaws 7 and 8. After the casting operation the elevator rises to the upper position to transfer the lineof matrices to the distributer channel 9, as shown in Fig. 1. While the line of matrices is carried upwardly past its receiving position the rod 11 remains in closed position, the arm 16 merely deflecting the cam 18 as it passes said cam. As the elevator approaches its uppermost position, the arm 17 thereon rides upon the cam 19, thereby rotating the shaft 12 in a direction 7 to withdraw the rod 11 and thereby open the matrix channel, permitting the line of matrices to be removed from the magazine without obstruction. After the matrices have been removed, the elevator descends to its normal receiving position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the arm 16 engaging the cam 18 and causing rotation of the shaft 12 in a direction to retract the rod 11 and thus again open the channel in the elevator to receive the next line of matrices.

According to the present invention the matrix channel of the elevator is entirely free of obstructions at those positions where the matrices enter or leave it while the cl1annel is completely closed at all other positions.

I claim as my invention 1. In combination, the first elevator having a channel adapted to receive a line of matrices, a gate or rod normally extending all the way across said channel, and automatic means for retracting said gate when the elevator is in the positions for the receiving or withdrawal of the matrices.

2. In combination, the first elevator havinga channel adapted to receive a line of matrices, a movable rod or bar at the entrance thereof extending into said channel from one side, and automatic means coniaaaeai trolled by the position of the elevator for withdrawing said bar to allow the matrices to enter or leave the channel.

3. In a machine of the linotype class, the combination with the first elevator having a channel to receive a line ofmatrices, carry the same to the casting point, and discharge the matrices therefrom, of a gate, and means controlled according to the position of the elevator for causing said gate to completely close the entrance end of the matrix channel thereof at all times except when the elevator is in a positionto receive or discharge a line of matrices and in casting position.

at. In a machine of the linotype class, combination with the first elevator havin a channel to receive a line of matrices and operative to lower such line to the casting point and raise the line to the discharge point, of a gate movable across the entrance end of said channel, and means controlled by the movement of the elevator for opening Copies of this patent may be obtained for the said gate only when the elevator occupies a position to receive or discharge a line of matrices and is at the casting level.

5.- In a machine of the linotype class, the combination with the first elevator having a channel to receive a line of matrices and operative to lower such line to the casting point and then raise the line past the receiving point to the dischargepoint, of a gate to close the entrance end of said channel, and means for opening said gate when the elevator is at the receiving, casting and dis-. charge levels, said means being inoperative while thevelevator moves past the receiving point toward the discharge point.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my handin presence of two subscribing witnesses.

1 HENRY A. ARMSTRONG.

, Witnesses:

THOMAS S. HOMANS, SAMUEL E. SPERRY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, 'Washington, D. 0. 

